Musikfest Begins Its 9-day Run

August 15, 1993|by BRYAN HAY, The Morning Call

Musikfest began its 10th year just like all the others -- with a German toast and a heart-pounding rendition of Germany's powerful national anthem, "Deutschland uber Alles," played yesterday morning by the visiting Stadtkapelle Berching.

The Moravian Trombone Choir of the Bethlehem congregation opened the day by playing chorales from the Central Moravian Church belfry. Every year, the trombones serve as Musikfest's alarm clock, summoning visitors to Bethlehem's downtown and alerting vendors, volunteers and residents that a demanding nine days lie ahead.

FOR THE RECORD - (Published Monday, August 16, 1993) The title of Germany's national anthem was incorrect in a Musikfest story in yesterday's paper. The hymn tune by Haydn is "Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit," or "Unity, Justice and Liberty."

"Good morning everybody, happy Musikfest," said its founder, Jeffrey Parks, giving pretty much the same welcoming remark he has used since 1984. Later, he proclaimed -- "the ticket booths are open."

The Rev. Douglas Caldwell, senior pastor of Central Moravian Church, gave the invocation beneath the Festplatz tent. While everybody hopes for a dry festival, Caldwell called attention to the suffering Midwest, where rainfall is a measure of survival, not profit.

Noted Mayor Ken Smith: "The last time we experimented with a non-Moravian prayer, it rained for seven days -- we're not messing around anymore."

Smith said Musikfest has put Bethlehem on the map and "fulfilled the dreams we had of tourism as an economic development tool for our city."

The mayor congratulated Parks, the festival staff and the thousands of volunteers, whose fierce loyalty has fueled Musikfest's success.

Music is the universal language of the world, she said, capable of overcoming all linguistic barriers. Luecke-Hogaust thanked Bethlehem for strengthening ties between the United States and Germany through its sister city partnership with Schwabisch Gmund.

She said she was happy to be back in Pennsylvania, noting that her 1965 visit to Lancaster County as an exchange student inspired her to enter foreign service.

Parks gave a special introduction to U.S. Rep. Paul McHale, D-15th District, a key player in Musikfest's ability to serve beer and wine. As a state representative in the early 1980s, McHale fought for legislation allowing non-profit groups involved in the performing arts in third-class cities, like Bethlehem, to sell liquor for a 10-day period in August.

"Twelve years in public service, and I'm best known for a beer license," joked McHale, who urged festival patrons to "consume beer in moderation and music to excess."

In other anniversary business, Ronald Donchez, Musikfest's board chairman, presented a $5,000 music scholarship to Moravian College, whose facilities and staff have been used heavily by the festival since the beginning.

College President Roger Martin accepted the scholarship, which will be awarded to students residing in either Northampton or Lehigh counties.